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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Indian Doctors Force Headbands onto HIV Patients


AIDS patients at Jamnagar's general hospital are made to wear headbands which proclaim their HIV positive status. The Gujarat high court (HC) on Thursday issued notices to concerned authorities after this issue was brought to its notice in a public interest litigation (PIL).

The PIL was filed by advocate Vijay Nangesh highlighting the "improper" practice in G G Hospital in Jamnagar. The lawyer submitted that the patients infected with HIV are given a band to be tied on their heads so that others could identify them and keep distance from them. He also produced photographs of patients carrying tags of HIV on their heads.

The petition claims that such a branding of HIV infected people is inhuman treatment to them, for this marking leads to isolation of these patients as other patients and their relatives maintain a "safe distance" from them. The petitioner also pointed out that this inhuman practice also causes panic among other patients who are in the hospital.

The PIL cited a guideline given by the Supreme Court saying that the identity of such people must not be disclosed. The lawyer also cited rules framed by the Medical Council of India in this regard. The PIL has demanded immediate restriction on this practice of disclosing AIDS patients' identity. It has also sought action against responsible officials. After hearing the case, a bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala sought reply from the state health department secretary, Jamnagar collector and the medical superintendent of the GG Hospital. Further hearing on this issue is kept next week.

Meanwhile, other PILs are also being heard by the HC on the issue of HIV infected people. The high court has ordered CBI probe in the incident of HIV infection among thallassemic kids in Junagadh.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!